Apparatus for wrapping or producing cylindrical articles and method for same

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for continuously applying a spiral wrap around successive cylindrical articles, securing the wrap to the cylindrical articles forming a series of wrapped articles, and subsequently severing individual wrapped articles from the wrapped series of same. Cylindrical articles are deposited onto a conveyor belt along which they are fed in proper alignment and in end to end abutting relationship to a wrapping station. At the wrapping station, a covering material, such as paper or the like is spirally applied to the successive rotating cylindrical articles in continuous fashion. Rotary and forwarding motion is supplied by a drive belt acting on previously wrapped articles which motion is imparted to the individual articles at the wrapping station. Subsequent to the wrapping station, the wrap or cover is secured to the cylindrical article by contact heaters, tunnel heaters, adhesive, or the like. The wrapped series of articles is fed to a severing station where cutters operating in timed relationship with movement of the series sever the individual articles therefrom. Cylindrical tubes may also be produced by the instant apparatus by utilizing a cylindrical, rotating mandrel and maintaining the mandrel at the wrapping station. Methods of continuously wrapping cylindrical articles, and producing cylindrical tubes are also disclosed.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a division of copending application Ser. No. 72,327,filed Sept. 4, 1979, now U.S. Pat. 4,385,480 entitled "Apparatus forWrapping or Producing Cylindrical Articles and Method for Same".

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is particularly adapted to the wrapping of dyetubes for the textile industry with a filter paper covering, but isequally applicable to wrapping cylindrical articles in general and ofany particular size where a spiral wrap is continuously applied to asuccession of articles, the wrap is secured to or around the articlesand subsequently the individual articles are severed from the wrappedseries. It has heretofore been desirable to apply a filter paper toplastic dye tubes for the textile industry to improve the efficiency ofthe dyeing operation. Certain of the yarn dye tubes are rigid, and thusof a constant length during dyeing, while others are axiallycompressible in the dye kettle with the yarn wound therearound. Ingeneral, such yarn dye tubes are manufactured from synthetic polymericmaterials that are thermoplastic in character. Structurally, the sidewalls of the dye tubes are skeletal or perforated to permit dye liquorsto pass therethrough into intimate contact with yarn wound around thetube. A filter paper wrap around the tube and beneath the yarn insuresan even flow of dye liquor through the tube wall along the full lengthof same, and improves unwinding of the yarn from the tube after dyeing.

Different textile yarn products dictate variation in size of dye tubes,both as to diameter and length. Historically, pre-cut sheets of filterpaper of the proper length and width have been secured by hand or bymachine around individual dye tubes, or rolls of filter paper have beenemployed at certain widths, being applied to tubes corresponding inlength to the paper width.

The present invention provides apparatus for serially wrapping acontinuous succession of dye tubes or other cylindrical articles with acovering of a constant width after which the paper is appropriatelysecured to or around the cylindrical article, the individual cylindricalarticle is severed from the series of wrapped articles and deposited inan appropriate container. The apparatus of the present invention thusaffords tremendous advantage over the conventional process for wrappingdye tubes or cylindrical articles of any fashion where a spiral wrap isappropriate therefor. Likewise apparatus of the present invention iscapable of economically producing spiral wrapped tubular elements ofvarying length and diameter. Of particular advantage of the presentapparatus and method is the flexibility to wrap cylindrical articles ofvarying size and length in continuous fashion while utilizing a coveringmaterial of standard width.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide apparatus forcontinuously applying a spiral wrap to cylindrical articles.

Another object of the present invention is to provide apparatus forcontinuously wrapping a succession of textile yarn dye tubes with afilter paper covering.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide apparatus foruse in continuously wrapping a succession of cylindrical articles ofvarying lengths and diameters.

Still further, an object of the present invention is to provide anapparatus and method for producing cylindrical tubes.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved methodfor the wrapping of cylindrical articles of varying lengths and widths.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improvedmethod for the wrapping of thermoplastic dye tubes with an appropriatefilter paper, and securing the filter paper thereto.

Generally speaking, apparatus of the present invention includes awrapping station, said station comprising at least one supply means forwrapping material, said supply being angularly disposed with respect toan axis of an article around which the wrapping material is to beplaced; wrapping securement means for securing said wrapping materialaround said article, drive means adjacent said wrapping securement meansfor imparting rotary and forwarding forces to said secured wrappingmaterial; and severing means for cutting and wrapping material atpredetermined intervals.

More specifically, the apparatus of the present invention affords ameans for continuously wrapping a plurality of successive cylindricalarticles, or for producing a tubular element around a mandrel. Forwrapping use, the apparatus generally includes a feed station wherecylindrical articles are supplied to a conveying means, preferably aconveyor belt. The conveyor belt transports the cylindrical articlesthrough appropriately located guide means which properly align same withrespect to preceding articles, and further, operates at a speed greaterthan the wrapping rate for the cylindrical articles whereby end to endabutting relationship between adjacent cylindrical articles ismaintained at the wrapping station. Delivery means are provided at thejuncture between an article supply tray and the conveyor belt to admit apredetermined number of cylindrical articles to the conveyor belt at anyparticular time. Moreover, switch means are provided along the length ofthe conveyor belt to determine when further cylindrical articles arerequired and to actuate the dispensing means to deposit a further numberof cylindrical articles onto the conveyor belt. Additional switch meansare provided immediately adjacent the wrapping station to halt operationof the wrapping machine where no articles are presented thereat forwrapping.

At the wrapping station, at least one supply of a covering material suchas a taper of a predetermined width is continuously supplied to thesuccession of cylindrical articles. The covering material is supplied ata predetermined angle to achieve a desired spiral wrap around thearticles. One or more guide rods are located at the wrapping stationwhich provide proper alignment of covering material and assist inproviding proper tensioning of the material.

Drive means for the previously wrapped articles preferably comprises adriven belt that extends around the wrapped articles at a similarangular relationship as that of the covering. A rotary, forwardingmotion is imparted to the wrapped series of articles to forward same tothe severing station while continuously drawing covering material ontoadditional articles located at the wrapping station. Due to the angularassociation between the drive means and the wrapped cylindricalarticles, a certain amount of torque is created, which under certaincircumstances can distort the wrapping on the articles. It is thuspreferred to locate the drive means immediately adjacent the wrappingsecurement means. The covering material supply and the drive means arepreferably located on a common support frame that is angularlyadjustable with respect to the path of travel of the cylindricalarticles whereby the angle of the spiral wrap being produced around thearticles and the drive angle may be simultaneously varied according todictates of the wrap, size of the articles, or the like.

Located between the wrapping station and the drive means for the wrappedseries of articles is a wrapper securement zone for securing the wrappercovering to or around the cylindrical article. For the wrapping of yarndye tubes, the securement more preferably includes a plurality ofheaters that are pivotally moveable into and out of contact with thewrapped articles and which apply heat to the thermoplastic article, tosoften the surface of same to adhere the wrapper covering thereto. Thesecurement zone, may however, include means for applying an adhesive tothe article, or the wrapper, a heating tunnel, sonic welders or thelike. Of course, various numbers of individual heaters may be employedto operate at temperatures dictated by the particular article beingwrapped, speed of wrapping, number and total length of heaters, or thelike.

After the articles are wrapped and the wrapper secured thereto, thewrapped series of articles is driven in a rotary, forwarding motion toan article severing means where the individual articles may be separatedfrom the wrapped series. Preferably, as illustrated in the drawings, acollar is located at the entrance to the article severing means throughwhich the wrapped cylindrical articles pass, being properly positionedby guide means at the entrance to the collar. Cutting means areassociated with the collar, normally in an inactive mode. The series ofarticles is fed through the opening in the collar and the forward mostarticle engages a bearing surface located a predetermined distancetherefrom. The collar and bearing surface are secured to a counterweighted moveable carriage, and the force of the wrapped article againstthe bearing surface causes the carriage to move outwardly to a pointwhere a switch means is energized to actuate the cutting of severingmeans. The article severing means then acts on the wrapped series at theproper location, i.e., the juncture between articles, to cut theindividual article from the series. The severed article then fails fromthe carriage into a receptacle. After removal of pressure on the bearingsurface, the carriage, due to the counter weight, returns to itsoriginal position and receives a further article to be severed. In apreferred embodiment, the article severing means includes a plurality ofblades that are moveable into and out of a cutting position. When in thecutting position the blades engage the wrapper covering around thearticle and rotary movement of the wrapped series causes completeseverance of the article from the series. In certain instances, thearticle may become lodged between the rear side of the collar and thebearing surface. A plunger is thus provided on the carriage which isactuated in timed relation with the cut to engage the severed articleand force same from its location between the bearing surface and therear of the collar. The bearing surface is adjustable to vary thedistance from the collar, whereby articles of different lengths may beconveniently wrapped by the apparatus of the present invention.

The apparatus according to the present invention may also be employedfor the manufacture of cylindrical tubular elements. A rotatable mandrelis utilized in lieu of a supply of articles, and is maintained at thewrapping station. Suitable apparatus for adhesively or otherwisesecuring the tube material to itself around the mandrel is included andthe tubes so formed are driven off the mandrel by the rotary andforwarding drive means. Thereafter, the tubes of predetermined lengthare severed from the continuous length by the severing means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of apparatus according to teachings of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the apparatus as illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the apparatus as shown inFIG. 1 taken along a line III--III.

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the apparatus as shown inFIG. 1 taken along a line IV--IV.

FIG. 5 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view of a portion of theapparatus as shown in FIG. 1 to the present invention taken along a lineV--V, illustrating wrapper securement means.

FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a portion of the apparatusas illustrated in FIG. 1, taken along a line VI--VI, illustrating thedrive means.

FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a portion of the apparatusas illustrated in FIG. 1 taken along a line VII--VII, illustratingarticle severing means.

FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a portion of the apparatusas illustrated in FIG. 1 taken along a line VIII--VIII, illustratingartical severing means.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the mutual support for the wrapping coveringsupply and the drive means.

FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the article severing meansas would be located along a line X--X, illustrating a further embodimentof same.

FIG. 11 is a partial side elevational view of an article severing meansaccording to the present invention, illustrating a further embodiment ofsame.

FIG. 12 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view of the articlesevering means as illustrated in FIG. 11 along a line XII--XII.

FIG. 13 is a partial plan view of a wrapping station according to thepresent invention, illustrating a further embodiment of same.

FIG. 14 is a partial elevational view of a severing means according tothe present invention, illustrating a further embodiment of same.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Making reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the apparatus and method of thepresent invention will be described in detail. In a wrapping embodiment,a supply means generally indicated as 10 is provided, from whichcylindrical articles A are fed to a wrapping station generally indicatedas 30. At wrapping station 30, a wrapper covering C is supplied to acontinuing series of cylindrical articles A, after which covering C issecured thereto or therearound A at a securement zone generallyindicated as 50. Wrapper covering C is supplied to the series ofarticles A from an idler support, and motive force to draw covering Caround articles A is afforded by a drive means generally indicated as70. Drive means 70 is preferably a belt drive arrangement, to bedescribed in detail hereinafter, which imparts both a rotary and aforwarding motion to the wrapped articles W. This combination force thusprovides a continuous rotation of the previously wrapped series ofarticles W and draws covering C around further articles A at wrappingstation 30. After covering C has been applied to articles A and securedthereto, the wrapped articles W are fed to an article severing zonegenerally indicated as 90 where the individual wrapped articles W aresevered from the wrapped series and are deposited into an appropriatecontainer.

While obviously the apparatus and method according to the teachings ofthe present invention may be utilized for applying a spiral continuouswrap to cylindrical articles of various designs, sizes and lengths, inthe context of the present invention, the preferred use is for theapplication of spirally wrapped filter paper covering around a yarn dyetube after which the wrapped article is heated to bond the filter paperaround the tube. As the series of wrapped tubes W appears at the articlesevering means 90, the individual tubes are severed from the series andmay thereafter be used as appropriately intended. In the context of thediscussion of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, thecylindrical article A is a dye tube and the wrapper covering C is thefilter paper.

As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the supply means generally indicated as 10affords a continuous supply of tubes A to the wrapping station generallyindicated as 30. Supply means 10 is supported by a structural frameworkfor the apparatus, generally indicated as 11, having a sloped tray 13supported thereon. As illustrated, tray 13 is provided with side walls14 and is preferably of sufficient width to accommodate two adjacentfeed lines of tubes A. A plurality of tubes A are thus placed in tray 13and roll down the slope, to the bottom of same where they are held by anarticle delivery means generally 15 which includes a pair of end plates16 having a plurality of rods 17, 18 extending therebetween. (See FIGS.3 and 4.) End plates 16 are supported for pivotal movement from supports19.

Article delivery means 15 pivots rearwardly about supports 19 wherebytwo tubes A from the supply in tray 13 pass beneath rod 17 and encounterrod 18. A return of delivery means 15 to its downward position separatesthe two tubes A from the bulk. A forward pivotal motion of deliverymeans 15 causes end 18 to raise and release the two tubes which thenroll into a trough defined by a pair of side guide rods 21 and 22 and aconveyor belt 23. Conveyor belt 23 is an endless belt received aroundtwo pulleys 24, one of which is driven, and transports tubes A to thewrapping means 30. A further, upper guide rod 20 is provided betweensupply means 10 and wrapping means 30 and cooperates with side guiderods 21 and 22 to properly align tubes A for wrapping. Guide rods 20, 21and 22 extend along the remaining length of the wrapping machine to thearticle severing means 90 to continuously maintain tubes A in properalignment before, during and after wrapping. Conveyor belt 23 operatesat a speed greater than the rate of wrapping, whereby end to endabutting relation is insured between all adjacent tubes A at wrappingmeans 30, and preferably has a tension means S beneath same to exertupward force on conveyor belt 23 to insure proper contact with articleA.

Immediately adjacent the beginning of guide rod 20 is a switch means 26which is operatively associated with article delivery means 15 todetermine when further tubes A should be deposited onto conveyor belt23. So long as switch means 26 is made by the presence of a tube Aproximate thereto, no further tubes will be deposited onto conveyor belt23. When, however, no tube A is proximate switch 26, article deliverymeans 15 is actuated to pivot forward and deposit two tubes ontoconveyor belt 23, and then rearwardly to segregate two further tubes Afrom those on tray 13. Immediately adjacent the wrapping means 30 is afurther switch means 27 which is operatively associated with the mainpower to the apparatus. At such times when switch means 27 is not madeby a tube A being proximate thereto, the wrapping machine willautomatically shut off. Switches 26 and 27 are preferably contactswitches where the tubes A make physical contact with a portion of theswitch. It is, of course, within the purview of the present invention touse any type of switch means or detection means that would be responsiveto the presence or absence of an article A at a proper location toachieve the intended result.

Wrapping means 30 is best shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5. A support platform31 is received on the general support frame 11 of the wrapping machinein horizontal pivotal association with a plate 12 located therebeneath.Adjustable support plate 31 has the drive means 70 located thereon alongwith the wrapper covering supply 30 for a purpose that will be discussedhereinafter. A pair of support rods 32 and 33 are secured to supportplate 31 and extend outwardly and upwardly therefrom. Support rod 32 hasa bearing 35 located at an outer end thereof through which an idlershaft 36 is received. Idler shaft 36 extends outwardly from its bearingsupport 35 and receives a roll 37 of wrapper covering C at an outer freeend. A weighted strip 40 is supported by a strut 36' and may rest onroll 37 to retard unrolling of covering C. Support rod 33 is providedwith a pair of tension and guide rods 38 and 39 which are contacted bycovering C to properly tension same prior to being wrapped around a tubeA. Covering C thus leaves roll 37, passes under first tension rod 38over the second tension rod 39, partially over and around upper guide 20and then spirally around the succession of tubes A passing through thewrapping machine. In the embodiment shown, the tubes A are rotated bydrive means 70 in a counterclockwise direction such that wrapper C ispulled from the roll 37 and spirally wrapped around the succession oftubes A. As shown in phantom in FIG. 5, a preheater H may be employed topreheat covering C prior to its wrapping contact with articles A,whereby improved securement of the covering to the article may result.

Subsequent to wrapping means 30 is a cover securement means generallyindicated as 50 which is best described in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5. While thecover securement means 50 may be represented by various and sundryapparatus, a preferred apparatus is illustrated herein as a plurality ofcontact heater elements 53 that are moveable into and out of contactwith the wrapped tube W. Each heater element 53 is secured to a support51 which in turn is supported by the framework 11 of the machine.Support 51 has a fulcrum element 54 located between two spring loadedadjustment nuts 55 and 56 such that the heater element 53 is moveableabout fulcrum element 54 to self-center on wrapped tubes W. Heaterelements 53 have electrical connectors (not shown) associated therewithto afford a source of heat to the element. Likewise, heater elements 53have a concave heating surface 53' for contact with the wrapped articleW, the concavity generally following the outer curvature of wrappedarticle W. As mentioned above, cylindrical articles that may be wrappedaccording to the teachings of the present invention, may vary in lengthand diameter. Hence, when heating elements 53 are employed, differentsize heating elements may be provided according to the particular lengthand diameter of the article to be wrapped. As the wrapped tube W thuspasses through cover securement zone 50, heating elements 53 aremaintained in contact with the wrapped tube W and impart sufficient heatto tube A within the wrapper C to heat same and cause a physicalsecurement of the filter paper C to the outer periphery of same. Sincethe wrapped tubes W are moving forward through the wrapping machine asthe heater elements 53 are held in contact therewith, it is desirablethat the concave heating surface 53' offer as little resistance to thewrapped articles as possible to avoid misalignment of the coveringthereon prior to securement. The contact surface of heater elements 53may thus be provided with a contact surface that offers low frictionalresistance. A covering of tetrafluoroethylene may, for example, beapplied to the concave surface 53' of heater elements 53.

Where a preheater H is employed to preheat the covering C prior to samebeing wrapped around articles A, lower temperatures may be employed atheating elements 53, or the speed of operation may be increased, orboth. In like fashion, the preheater may be employed to preheat thearticles being wrapped. Since heater elements 53 are contact heaters andthe normal covering material is paper, heater elements are arranged toautomatically move out of contact with the articles A coincident withcessation of operation of the machine. Such avoids scorching and/orburning of the covering C.

Whereas cover securement means 50 has been defined in the sense of usingcontact heater elements 53, other securement means may be likewiseemployed. For example, a source of adhesive for a wrapper covering maybe provided as also shown in phantom in FIG. 5 as 60 where a reservoirmay contain adhesive and a roll or the like 61 applies same to an underside of covering C prior to its engagement with the article A to bewrapped. In such an embodiment, contact heaters could continually beutilized, if necessary, or be replaced by a heat tunnel or the likelocated along the path of the wrapper machine. Similarly, a sonic weldermay be employed in lieu of heater elements to secure the wrappercovering C to the cylindrical article A. Likewise, any other suitablesecurement means may be employed as desired for the particularcylindrical article to be wrapped.

Downstream from the cover securement means, the continuously wrappedseries of articles, still within the confines of the guide rods 20, 21and 22 are encountered by a drive means to afford rotary and forwardingmotion to the wrapped succession (See FIGS. 1, 2 and 6). While variousand sundry type drive means may be employed so long as both rotary andforwarding motion are imparted thereto, a preferred means includes adrive belt 78. The drive means generally indicated as 70 is supportedfrom the support plate 31 that likewise supports wrapping means 30. Asmentioned above, support plate 31 is supported for horizontal adjustablemovement about a horizontal plate 12 of the support frame 11 for thewrapping machine. Since the cover C is being spirally wrapped around theseries of articles, and the drive means is angularly located withrespect to the wrapped succession of articles to impart both a rotaryand forwarding motion thereto, location of both the cover supply meansand the drive means on a common support 31 permits simultaneous angularadjustment of both with respect to the path of travel of articlesthrough the wrapping machine. Hence for various length and diameterarticles to be wrapped, a different angle of wrap may be desired as wellas different angle between the drive means and the wrapped series ofarticles.

Referring more particularly to FIGS. 1, 2, 6 and 9, drive means 70 forthe wrapped articles will be described in detail. Support plate 31 isrotatable about slots 41 (See FIG. 9) and is capable of horizontalmovement therearound in the direction of the double beaded arrows. Bolts42 are received in slots 41 and may be tightened to secure plate 31 atits desired location. With bolts 42 loose, plate 31 may be preciselylocated by a threaded adjustment rod 43 that is received between a fixedsecurement location 44 in plate 31 and an adjustment nut 45 that isreceived in plate 12 of support frame 11. Wrapping means 30 and drivemeans 70 may thus be simultaneously angularly adjusted with respect tothe path of tubes A through the wrapping machine to achieve apredetermined spiral wrap and drive motion therefor.

Drive means 70 generally includes a motor 71 which is drivinglyconnected to a pulley 72 by a belt 73. Pulley 73 is received within ahousing 74 and has a drive shaft 75 secured thereto. An outer end ofdrive shaft 75 is received in a bearing 76 and a sheath 77 is locatedtherealong. Sheath 77 receives an endless belt 78 therearound. Anopposite end of belt 78 is received around an idler sheath 79 which isfreely rotatably mounted on a support 80 at an angle with respect tosheath 77. Belt 78 is twisted prior to securing opposite ends togetherto form the endless loop to permit passage around the wrapped series ofarticles as desired. Drive belt 78 should be located as close aspossible to the end of securement zone 50 as mentioned hereinbefore. Atthe drive zone location 70, in a preferred embodiment has two furtherguide members 25 are positioned along the path of travel. Guide members25 are preferably elongated rollers to assist in maintaining the properalignment of the series of wrapped articles W and the covering Ctherearound. With particular reference to FIGS. 1 and 6, belt 78 passesunder guide roll 21 and the wrapped series of articles after which thebelt turns upwardly and is completely wrapped in spiral fashion around aportion of the wrapped series of articles extending therefrom aroundidler pulley 79. The return portion of the belt 78 passes directly fromidler pulley 79 under the guide rods and wrapped articles W to sheath77. Utilizing this particular arrangement, both a rotary and aforwarding motion are applied to the wrapped series of articles to whichthe covering has been secured. As the wrapped series of articles isforwarded by drive means 70, the series passes from the guide rods 20,21, 22 and 25 to the article severing means 90.

Article severing means 90 is more particularly illustrated in FIGS. 1,2, 7 and 8. Making particular reference thereto, this portion of thewrapping machine of the present invention will now be described. Articlesevering means 90 includes a support carriage 91 which is movable in ahorizontal direction away from and toward drive means 70. A guide rod 94is secured to support frame 11 of the wrapping machine and passesthrough a bearing surface 95 secured to an upper end of carriage 91. Alower end of carriage 91 is provided with a rotatably mounted groovedwheel 96 that rests upon a trackway 97 that is supported from framework11. Carriage 91 is further provided with a counter weighting system (SeeFIGS. 7 and 8) which includes an elongated element 98 secured to aportion of carriage 91 (not shown) and passing over a pulley 99 with aweight 100 secured to a lower free end thereof. Weight 100 constantlyurges carriage 91 toward an initial position immediately adjacent drivemeans 70 to receive wrapped articles W.

Carriage 91 is provided with a collar 101 which has an article receivingopening 103 therethrough. A plurality of tapered guide elements 105 arelocated around opening 103 to properly guide wrapped articles Wtherethrough. Spacially separate from collar 101 is a bearing surface107 that is adjustably received in an arm 110 which is attached tocarriage 91. Bearing surface 107 is secured to a plunger 108 that isreceived in an air cylinder 109. Cylinder 109 is horizontally adjustablealong arm 110 to be located at a predetermined distance from collar 101such that wrapped articles W passing through collar 101 will engagebearing surface 107 at a predetermined distance. After contactingbearing surface 107, the series of wrapped articles W force carriage 91away from drive means 70 to a point where a switch means 111 isenergized which actuates plural cutting elements 102 that are mounted onthe rear side of collar 101 to cause cutting blades 104 to moveoutwardly to an operative cutting position against covering C to severthe wrapper C between articles. Cutting blades 104 may be stationary inthe sense of rotational movement and the cutting action is produced bythe rotation of the wrapped article against blades 104. Alternatively,as discussed hereinafter, cutting blades 102 may be mounted on a platethat rotates counter to the direction of rotation of the wrappedarticles whereby cutting time is reduced. While three cutting blades 104are illustrated, obviously a greater or fewer manner may be employed.Since three blades are employed, and equispaced around opening 103, onlyapproximately 1/3 turn of wrapped article W is necessary for completeseverance of covering C. After severance of wrapped article W, bearingsurface 107 extracts into cylinder 109 and the severed wrapped article Wfalls from the severing means 90 into an appropriate receptacle 120.Once the pressure of the wrapped article against bearing surface 107 isrelieved, weight 100 causes carriage 91 to return to its originalposition to receive a further wrapped article for severing. Since it ispossible for the wrapped article W to jam carriage 91, a plunger 112 islocated above the path between collar 101 and bearing surface 107.Plunger 112 is actuated in timed relation with completion of the cut andretraction of bearing surface 107 to contact wrapped article W and forcesame from between collar 101 and bearing surface 107. Switch means 111is located to move the cutting blades 104 into a cutting positionprecisely at the juncture between two tubes A. A further switch means113 is engaged adjacent the normal end of travel of carriage 90 toretract blades 104, and plunger 112 and to return bearing plate 107 toits original position. A yet further switch means 114 is located beyondswitch means 113 and serves as an emergency stop for the machine whenenergized.

FIG. 10 illustrates further embodiments of the present invention. Apartial severing means 290 is illustrated, showing a collar 201 havingan opening 203 therethrough for receiving wrapped articles. A cuttingmeans 202 is illustrated, exemplary of a laser which would be actuatedin proper timed relation to project a coherent light source againstcovering C to burn same between adjacent tubes A. While only one suchlaser is illustrated, obviously any desired number could be utilized.Similarly, hot wires or other means for severing the wrapped article Wmay be employed according to teachings of the present invention. A plate220 is shown in phantom in FIG. 10 having a drive means 221, also inphantom associated therewith. Cutting means 202, or the cutting means ofthe other Figures could be mounted on plate 220, with plate 220 beingrotated preferably counter to the direction of rotation of the wrappedarticle or tube, whereby cutting time may be reduced. In a mostpreferred arrangement, drive means 221 is reversible, whereby plate 220can be rotated for a proper distance, after which drive means 221 wouldreverse and return plate 220 to its original position.

Further an article identification means 207 is illustrated adjacentopening 203 of collar 201. As shown, a marking element 208 is housed inmeans 207. In proper timed relation element 208 would move out of means207 into contact with wrapped article W and apply appropriate indiciathereto. Three such identification means could be employed aroundopening 203 and apply an identification ring around an end of a wrappedtube.

A further embodiment of a severing means 390 of the present invention isillustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12. Severing means 390 utilizes two collars301, 301' instead of one as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, whereby two wrappedarticles may be severed simultaneously to increase the speed ofoperation of the apparatus. The series of wrapped articles would thuspass through collars 301 and 301' and engage bearing 307 to movecarriage 391 outwardly. Once switch 311 is actuated by carriage 391moving out of contact with same, cutting elements associated with bothcollars 301 and 301' would be actuated to sever two articles. Oncesevered, the wrapped articles W would fall into receptacle 320. Internalcollar 301' has been modified to provide a slot S beneath opening 303'through which the then forward edge of the wrapped article associatedwith collar 301 may fall unimpeded. Likewise if necessary guide elements305' could be provided on cylinders like cutting elements 304' to retactafter severance of wrapped articles W to enable same to fall fromsevreing means 390.

The general method of operation of the wrapping machine according toteachings of the present invention will now be described in the contextof wrapping axially collapsible dye tubes molded from thermoplasticsynthetic polymeric materials such as polypropylene. Tubes A areprovided in sloped tray 13 in two lines of same across the width of tray13. Whenever switch 26 is actuated tube delivering means 15 oscillatesforward to deposit two tubes A onto conveyor 23, and then rearward tosegregate two more tubes from the lines on tray 13. Conveyor belt 23transports the two tubes A through the area defined by guide elements20, 21 and 22 to the wrapping station generally indicated as 30. Thespeed of the conveyor belt 23 is such that physical abutment of thetubes A in end to end relationship is accomplished. At wrapping station30, a filter paper covering C of a predetermined width is fed around topguide bar 20 and onto the rotating dye tube thereat. The filter paper Cis supplied from a roll 37 and is maintained under a preset tension bytension bars 38, 39. The previously wrapped series of dye tubes W isafforded a rotary and forwarding motion by drive means 70 and thuscontinuously rotates tubes A in contact therewith at wrapping station 30to draw the filter paper C spirally therearound. Subsequent to wrappingof the filter paper C around the dye tube A, the wrapped tube W enterssecurement zone 50 where heater elements 53 contact the wrapped dye tubeW and impart adequate heat to thermally bond the filter paper to theouter periphery of the dye tube. Subsequent to securement of the filterpaper to the dye tube, the wrapped series of tubes is forwarded to thesevering means 90 by drive means 70. At severing means 90, the wrappedtubes W are guided by tapered guide elements 105 through an opening 103in a collar 101, and contact a rotatable bearing surface 107 that islocated at a predetermined distance from collar 101. Force on bearingsurface 107, causes carriage 91 to move outwardly away from the wrappingmachine to a point where engagement with switch means 111 is lost,actuating same. Cutting blades 104 then move from the confines of theirholders 102 into the path of the rotating wrapped tube W. Rotation ofthe wrapped tube W causes the paper covering C to be severed at thejuncture between two tubes, after which bearing surface 107 retracts andthe severed tube W is dislodged from the carriage 91 by gravity or byplunger 115 and falls into a receptacle 120 therefor. Actuation of theswitch 113 retracts blades 104, and plunger 112 and returns bearing 107to its original position. With the pressure removed from bearing surface107, counter weight 100 returns carriage 91 to its original position atwhich point a further wrapped tube W is received and the cutting cyclerepeats. Should a longer tube be wrapped, bearing surface 107 is movedfurther away from collar 101.

Elements of the apparatus that are actuatable for movement are shown tobe received in air cylinders with certain of the air lines shown. Forthe sake of clarity neither the entire air connections, nor operation ofthe cylinders has not been described. Such does not per se form a partof the present invention and one skilled in the art should readily knowthe appropriate manner of connecting same to achieve the describedfunctions. Moreover, any type of means to actuate the various elementswill suffice so long as the ultimate function of the apparatus is notadversely affected.

FIG. 13 illustrates a further embodiment of apparatus according toteachings of the present invention for use in the manufacture of tubes.Only the portion of the modified apparatus is shown that is necessary todescribe the tube manufacture. A wrapping station 430 is generally shownwith two separate cover elements C, C' being supplied thereto. Insteadof feeding plural articles to wrapping station 430, a rotatable mandrel450 is provided at station 430. Mandrel 450 resides within the confinesof guide rods 421 and 422 and has a bearing 452 received in an endthereof. Bearing 452 is secured at an outer free end to a holding frame460 whereby mandrel 450 is free to rotate, but will not move away fromwrapping station 430. Cover material C is fed to mandrel 450 via tensionelements 438, 439 and guide rod 421 where cover C is drawn aroundmandrel 450 by the rotation imparted thereto by drive means 470.Adhesive or some other bonding agent is applied to at least a portion ofcover C by an application means 465 whereby cover C will adhere toitself along the overlap portions of the spiral wrap. Subsequent to thespiral wrap, heaters 453 or the like may be employed to cure orotherwise set the adhesive and produce a tubular element. As shownsecond covering C' is fed on top of first covering C and produces aseparate spiral wrap. Tube T can thus be manufactured of any desiredthickness and any desired number of layers. Downstream of heaterelements 453, a rotary forwarding drive means 470 acts on the producedcontinuous tubular length to impart the rotation for mandrel 450 drawingfurther material therearound and for forwarding the length of tubularelement to a severing means of the type previously shown in the Figureswhere tubes T of predetermined length may be severed from the continuouslength. Further, depending on the material from which the tubes are tobe manufactured, the speed of operation and the like, it may benecessary or desirable to provide a slight taper on mandrel 450 towardsdrive means 470, to coat mandrel 450 with a low friction surface, or thelike. Likewise any suitable material securement means may be employed.

In practicing the method of producing tubes of the apparatus of thepresent invention, the rotatable fixed mandrel 450 is provided and theone or more widths of the tube material C, C', etc. are supplied tomandrel 450. Drive means 470 acts on a previously produced length oftube to afford rotary motion thereto, whereby material C is spirallywound around mandrel 450. Material C is then secured to itself byadhesive, sonic welders or the like in the securement zone illustratedby contact heaters 453. Once formed, the length of tube is forwarded bydrive means 470 to the tube severing means where tubes of predeterminedlength are severed from the continuous tube.

Certain tubes employed in the textile industry, after formation, aretreated to provide an inturned roll or flange at an end of same. Asillustrated in FIG. 14, such an operation may be incorporated into theapparatus of the present invention. In FIG. 14, the severing meansgenerally 590 is provided with a bearing plate 507 having apredetermined forming surface 510 in the surface of same. Plate 507 issecured to a plunger 508 receivable in a cylinder 509 as describedhereinbefore. Further with the present embodiment, plate 507 is providedwith a suitable drive means such as an air motor 515 having a driveshaft 516 with a drive roll 517 in contact with plate 507. Plate 507would thus be rotated at high speed with a tube T in contact therewithto spin form the end of tube T into conformity with forming surface 510of plate 507.

Having described the apparatus and method according to teachings of thepresent invention, it will become obvious that modifications andvariations thereto may be made without departing from the scope of thepresent invention. As such, the scope of the present invention should bedetermined by the claims apended hereto.

That which is claimed is:
 1. A method for producing tubular elementscomprising the steps of:(a) providing a fixed, freely rotatable mandrelhaving guide means therealong; (b) feeding material spirally about saidmandrel and securing said material to itself to form a continuous tube;(c) engaging a portion of said formed tube and imparting a rotary andforwarding motion thereto, thereby continuously drawing further materialabout said mandrel; (d) forwarding said continuous tube through a guidemeans mounted on a movable carriage and into engagement with a rotatablebearing surface, whereby said carriage is moved by forwarding motion ofsaid tube; (e) actuating cutting means at a predetermined location alongsaid path of carriage movement and severing an element from saidcontinuous tube; and (f) deactuating said cutting means and retractingsaid bearing plate from contact with said tube at a second locationalong said path of carriage travel, whereby said severed element fallsfrom said carriage.
 2. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein saidmaterial is secured by applying adhesive thereto and heating to curesame.
 3. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein said rotary andforwarding motion is imparted to said tube by a driven belt passingtherearound at an angle with respect to said tube.
 4. The method asdefined in claim 1 wherein a plurality of lengths of material are drawnaround said mandrel, each successive length of material being secured tothe material thereunder and to itself.
 5. A machine for producingtubular elements comprising:(a) a framework; (b) a mandrel rotatablysecured to said framework at one end only; (c) a plurality of guidemeans located about said mandrel and extending therealong; (d) means forsupplying continuous material to said mandrel for producing said tubularelements therearound; (e) means for securing said material to itselfabout said mandrel in helical fashion; (f) drive means for forwardingand rotating a continuous length of element produced about said mandrelaxially with respect to same, said rotational motion drawing furthermaterial about said mandrel for continued element production; and (g)element severing means located downstream from said drive means, saidsevering means comprising a carriage, said carriage having a collardefining an element guide opening therewithin and cutting means locatedabout said guide opening, said carriage further having a rotatablebearing plate spaced apart from said cutting means, said bearing platebeing axially adjustable with respect to a path of travel of saidelement, said bearing plate being contactable by a forward end of saidcontinuous length of element, whereby said carriage is moved away fromsaid drive means thereby, said bearing plate further having retractormeans associated therewith, switch means located along the path oftravel of said carriage for actuating said cutting means to sever atleast one element from said continuous length of same, second switchmeans located along said carriage path of travel for deactuating saidcutting means and actuating said bearing plate retractor means, wherebysaid severed element falls from said carriage, and means for returningsaid carriage to said first position.
 6. Apparatus as defined in claim 5wherein said carriage has a plurality of spaced apart collars thereon,all of said plurality of collars between a first collar and said bearingplate defining a slotted bottom, whereby a severed element may falltherethrough.
 7. A machine as defined in claim 5 wherein said drivemeans comprises a belt drive, said belt passing around said formedelement at an angle generally similar to an angle of supply of thecontinuous material to said mandrel.
 8. A machine as defined in claim 5wherein said means for supplying material includes plural materialsupply stations.
 9. A machine as defined in claim 5 wherein said meansfor securing said material comprise means for applying an adhesive to atleast a portion of the material and means for curing the adhesive. 10.Apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said means for curing saidadhesive comprises a plurality of heater elements located about saidelement being produced.